C&K BASILDON endured a tough afternoon against early season league leaders Charlton Athletic as they were walloped 6-0.

Charlton, who finished second last season, look determined to go one better this season and took an early lead after just eight minutes when Gemma Shepherd picked up the ball towards the touchline, before cutting inside and sending a shot over goalkeeper Molly Povey from just outside of the penalty area.

But Basildon had a great chance to level the scores just two minutes later, when Kerry Stimson won the ball just inside the Charlton half, taking the ball into the penalty area and sending a teasing cross across the face of the goal, but no Basildon player could get on the end of the cross.

Charlton doubled their lead after 18 minutes, when a quick interchange of passes on the edge of the Basildon penalty area between Charley Clifford and Katie Flack ended with Flack shooting past Povey from close range.

A minute later Karen Stephanou sent Lily Mellors clear, and Mellors advanced to the edge of the penalty area, before sending a shot wide of the post.

Charlton continued to exert pressure on the Basildon defence, and headed a corner against the Basildon bar after 22 minutes, with the Basildon defence clearing the rebound.

Sophie Blowers then did well to block a shot at the far post and Povey then held a low free kick from a dangerous position, as the half ended with Charlton two goals ahead.

Charlton extended their lead after 55 minutes when Kit Graham sent a shot from distance past Povey.

Eight minutes later Charlton scored a fourth when a left wing cross was blocked, but the ball fell kindly for Charley Clifford on the edge of the penalty area, and she made no mistake, sending a shot into the top corner of the net.

Zoe Rushen then sent a shot from distance just wide of the post, but Charlton’s response was to score a fifth goal after 69 minutes, when Avilla Bergin’s cross was headed in at the far post by Shepherd.

The final goal came on 77 minutes, when Gemma Shepherd picked up the ball in the centre of Basildon’s half, before evading a couple of challenges and shooting low past Povey to complete her hat trick.

Basildon will look to put this result behind them, as they take on St Nicholas in the FA Women’s Premier League Cup with the match being played at Canvey Island.

C&K Basildon: Povey, Stimson (Bradley), Blowers (Kellett), Booker, Stephanou, Little, Rushen, Huggins, Mellors, Rodney and Nash (De Bell).